Day 20: Hanging piece
Target rating: 630
Lesson of the day
A hanging piece is simply an unprotected piece you can take for free. It sounds primitive, yet most amateur games are decided exactly this way. Build the habit: before every move, sweep the board and note every undefended piece, yours and theirs. The classic mistake is hunting for a brilliant combination when all you need to do is bend down and pick up the gift.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·109)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Discovered attack: bishop to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Skewer: rook to d2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g1 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to c3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e7 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Skewer: rook to b2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 21 →